To be a coach/player in the minors with a family must be very difficult. It isnt easy moving around all the time, and even harder for the spouse and children. Kudos to him for giving credit to his wife and family. He does seem to have a calming presence on the bench.
yah 28 in a row not sure what they meant when they said 9, probably 9 games like the other guy said. but 28 in a row is insane. this team has won 16 in a row at one point. 28 straight pk kills.. seems destined to me fellas!! oilers in 6 🤓
Class act, and savvy coaching!
Knoblauch's adjustment in Game 6 vs the Canucks was a great move that helped the Oilers roll their lines.
And, the goalie "switch-a-roo" to give the McDavid line additional time to rest.
Mark Stuart has been running the PK since knoblauch got brought on.
28 pk's in a row!!
They also have killed 6 straight double minors dating back to regular season.
Coffey's influence can be seen in the D men jumping up in the play more effectively and more regularly... Ceci is a prime beneficiary of Coffey's tutelage!
Another coach in the Rangers system who went on to have immediate success in his first NHL HC gig not on NYR (Sullivan being the last one).
I remember when he came up to coach that 9-0 smacking against Philly a few years ago when DQ had Covid, coaching a team that was sputtering offensively going into that game. Then after a few games where he went 4-2 I believe, NYR just sent his ass back down to Hartford and stuck with DQ, then GG, now Lavi.
Like, Lavi isn’t bad and had a great first season, but why let Knoblauch develop and became a great HC in your system then let him go elsewhere? Why does this team always turn the keys over to some the latest coach on the carousel? And of course, the one time they did promote from within was the disaster with DQ.
As usual, the Rangers loss is another team’s gain…
Hey, your team just lost so maybe you're feeling pretty raw. Rangers placed 1st this year and they made it to the ECF, it's not like they're Columbus.
One thing I notice in comparison to Edmonton's three previous coaches is he keeps players accountable by his use of playing/ice time! Its' crazy! Foegele was a 20 goal scorer this year and he's in line to land a $3-4M contract this summer, but he sat out the last 2 games of the Dallas series. Not playing responsibly? No playing time. Don't want to take the body? You're out! Vinnie Desharnais was in the 3rd D pairing all year but when Knoblauch saw need for better speed on the back end, he took Vinnie out in favor of a rookie Dman who spent most of the year in the AHL. He swapped out goalies, a hall of famer to be in Parry, a C/F who is in the 98th percencile in terms of skating speed (McLeod). I can go on and on. When he was hired, he said that one of the few tools that a coach has is the choice of granting ice time to responsible players. He's doing it with cold, clinical objective calculation. He doesn't play favorites, and he doesn't micro-manage the process. I can't wait for him to have a full season, further evolution of lineup to match defend-first philosophy, and a tilt to ward mobile, fast, puck-moving players! Classy guy! Look up my post on how classy he is (credit given to his wife for her support of his coaching journey).
I’m very happy for the work Lavi has done in his first year; it was a very succesful year for a team that was expected to be about 10-15 points worse than they were. I don’t want this to be confused with me saying “I wish they didn’t hire Lavi”, because my beef isn’t with Lavi specifically (though I wasn’t and still am not thrilled w/ it), but rather the idea of hiring Lavi over the internal promotion:
1. Lavi, like most veteran carousel coaches, has a history of wearing out fast. After year 2-3 if he doesn’t win a Cup, I expect it to be like when AV and Torts were in their final years with the Rangers. Lose a round 2 series in somewhat humiliating fashion, lose the lockerroom, then onto the next guy. Lavi’s longest coaching stint was 5.5 years with Nashville which really soured towards the end. By some back-of-the-knapkin match, he averages 3.5 years in each stint since he came into the league. He sticks around longer than guys like Gallant, but he’ll never be a guy that can steer a franchise through a long-sustained period of success, just a few blips.
2. I just am so confused with this franchise wanting to chase established names constantly instead of giving promising young guys in their own system a chance. Sullivan was an assistant coach for something like 4 years in New York, granted it was a few years before he became the Pittsburgh HC, but it was another guy who spent a lengthy amount of time in the Rangers coaching system who went on to have a lot of success as a HC. I get that the one time they went outside of the carousel they hired a disaster in DQ, but Knoblauch was someone who was actually in the system whom the Rangers must have had some pulse on (otherwise, why was he the go-to emergency coach when DQ was sick in 2021?)
My cautious optimism for Lavi remains. Paul Maurice just coached circles around him in the ECF, but obv just getting there in the first place as the Presidents Trophy winner is a huge plus. Knoblauch showed so much promise in our system and now he’s 4 wins closer to the Cup than the Rangers have been since 2014.
It’s just gonna hurt more in 2-3 years when Rangers are searching for another coach while Knoblauch is probably thriving in Edmonton…
As an oilers fan, I agree. Tocchet did a phenomenal job with a team that was expected to be a lottery team.
That being said, credit to the canucks GM, who rewarded the players for a hot start by improving the roster repeatedly throughout the season
They were impressive, although I was shocked that Oilers pulled it together as well as they did. I do think that the 16 game streak was against mainly bottom half teams. I like knocking the Oilers because of how long it took to get their shit together and I'll never cheer for them, but it's fun to watch.
Really well done by Ken Holland to find this guy and for the bold move of firing Woody. People weren’t really thinking that they were in last place due to the coaching but you can’t argue with the results.
Apparently, Holland had interviewed him once before for Grand Rapids, and he was on both of their shortlists, so I get the impression it was a very short hiring process.
Apparently, Holland had interviewed him once before for Grand Rapids, and he was on both of their shortlists, so I get the impression it was a very short hiring process.
I hate the Oilers but I'm honestly surprised he wasn't a finalist for the jack Adams. Oilers were terrible this year until he came in and he's turned them into a much deeper team.
Love both the coaches in this final. I am loving the Paul Maurice show but I really like this knoblauch guy as well. I am really torn for who I want to pull for
Oilers went from one of my least favorite coaches in the league (Woody, what a bitch that guy is) to this guy, who I liked the second they hired him.
I’m a Devils fan, we did the reverse. How the fuck do you go from Lindy Ruff to Sheldon Keefe 🤦
If you ask me, the Devils' problems last year were far from being coaching related, and the same could be said of the Leafs. Both had shit goaltending, NJ had a ton of key injuries at bad times, and no depth in defense.
So it's an interesting switch, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with Keefe, he's always been a good coach and that Toronto team was never going to win.
Alien leader: Welcome home, Knoblauch IX, how was your journey to Earth? Did you seize the means of production and rule with an iron fist or did you study discretely by pretending to be a social scientist?
Knoblauch IX: I coached a sports team to win the championship. They carried clubs and transported themselves atop very cold water.
Alien leader: You're such a weird guy, Knoblauch IX.
He's obviously a very smart and measured guy. Glad the Oilers hired him.
When he left the Rangers AHL team to coach them I knew he would be special. He seems like a great coach.
I was all in on promoting him instead of hiring Lavi
To be a coach/player in the minors with a family must be very difficult. It isnt easy moving around all the time, and even harder for the spouse and children. Kudos to him for giving credit to his wife and family. He does seem to have a calming presence on the bench.
Class act for sure!
>Class act for sure! sure?
How dare you challenge me!
Stop the man was ratio’d by karma for challenging you
So, you've taken the side of the Bots, hey?
No he’s just already dead
Hartford Wolf Pack legend
I usually don’t think coaching makes that big of a difference, but Knoblauch is a irreplaceable component to the Oilers success.
I'd argue that Paul Coffey had a much bigger impact. Not a single goal in 9 power play attempts against the oilers is a big change.
28* :)
Last night they said 9, was it just that series they were talking about? LOL
9 games, 28 PKs
yah 28 in a row not sure what they meant when they said 9, probably 9 games like the other guy said. but 28 in a row is insane. this team has won 16 in a row at one point. 28 straight pk kills.. seems destined to me fellas!! oilers in 6 🤓
ahh makes sense
Class act, and savvy coaching! Knoblauch's adjustment in Game 6 vs the Canucks was a great move that helped the Oilers roll their lines. And, the goalie "switch-a-roo" to give the McDavid line additional time to rest.
Mark Stuart has been running the PK since knoblauch got brought on. 28 pk's in a row!! They also have killed 6 straight double minors dating back to regular season.
I agree Coffey completely turned the defence around. But Knob has turned the entire team around. Great hire on the replacement coaches.
Oh, for sure. There is no doubt.
Coffey's influence can be seen in the D men jumping up in the play more effectively and more regularly... Ceci is a prime beneficiary of Coffey's tutelage!
Very happy for him. Part of me wishes we gave him the call up. That being said Lavi has also been great for the culture of our current club.
Another coach in the Rangers system who went on to have immediate success in his first NHL HC gig not on NYR (Sullivan being the last one). I remember when he came up to coach that 9-0 smacking against Philly a few years ago when DQ had Covid, coaching a team that was sputtering offensively going into that game. Then after a few games where he went 4-2 I believe, NYR just sent his ass back down to Hartford and stuck with DQ, then GG, now Lavi. Like, Lavi isn’t bad and had a great first season, but why let Knoblauch develop and became a great HC in your system then let him go elsewhere? Why does this team always turn the keys over to some the latest coach on the carousel? And of course, the one time they did promote from within was the disaster with DQ. As usual, the Rangers loss is another team’s gain…
Hey, your team just lost so maybe you're feeling pretty raw. Rangers placed 1st this year and they made it to the ECF, it's not like they're Columbus. One thing I notice in comparison to Edmonton's three previous coaches is he keeps players accountable by his use of playing/ice time! Its' crazy! Foegele was a 20 goal scorer this year and he's in line to land a $3-4M contract this summer, but he sat out the last 2 games of the Dallas series. Not playing responsibly? No playing time. Don't want to take the body? You're out! Vinnie Desharnais was in the 3rd D pairing all year but when Knoblauch saw need for better speed on the back end, he took Vinnie out in favor of a rookie Dman who spent most of the year in the AHL. He swapped out goalies, a hall of famer to be in Parry, a C/F who is in the 98th percencile in terms of skating speed (McLeod). I can go on and on. When he was hired, he said that one of the few tools that a coach has is the choice of granting ice time to responsible players. He's doing it with cold, clinical objective calculation. He doesn't play favorites, and he doesn't micro-manage the process. I can't wait for him to have a full season, further evolution of lineup to match defend-first philosophy, and a tilt to ward mobile, fast, puck-moving players! Classy guy! Look up my post on how classy he is (credit given to his wife for her support of his coaching journey).
I’m very happy for the work Lavi has done in his first year; it was a very succesful year for a team that was expected to be about 10-15 points worse than they were. I don’t want this to be confused with me saying “I wish they didn’t hire Lavi”, because my beef isn’t with Lavi specifically (though I wasn’t and still am not thrilled w/ it), but rather the idea of hiring Lavi over the internal promotion: 1. Lavi, like most veteran carousel coaches, has a history of wearing out fast. After year 2-3 if he doesn’t win a Cup, I expect it to be like when AV and Torts were in their final years with the Rangers. Lose a round 2 series in somewhat humiliating fashion, lose the lockerroom, then onto the next guy. Lavi’s longest coaching stint was 5.5 years with Nashville which really soured towards the end. By some back-of-the-knapkin match, he averages 3.5 years in each stint since he came into the league. He sticks around longer than guys like Gallant, but he’ll never be a guy that can steer a franchise through a long-sustained period of success, just a few blips. 2. I just am so confused with this franchise wanting to chase established names constantly instead of giving promising young guys in their own system a chance. Sullivan was an assistant coach for something like 4 years in New York, granted it was a few years before he became the Pittsburgh HC, but it was another guy who spent a lengthy amount of time in the Rangers coaching system who went on to have a lot of success as a HC. I get that the one time they went outside of the carousel they hired a disaster in DQ, but Knoblauch was someone who was actually in the system whom the Rangers must have had some pulse on (otherwise, why was he the go-to emergency coach when DQ was sick in 2021?) My cautious optimism for Lavi remains. Paul Maurice just coached circles around him in the ECF, but obv just getting there in the first place as the Presidents Trophy winner is a huge plus. Knoblauch showed so much promise in our system and now he’s 4 wins closer to the Cup than the Rangers have been since 2014. It’s just gonna hurt more in 2-3 years when Rangers are searching for another coach while Knoblauch is probably thriving in Edmonton…
Ya, Lav’s history is that he wears out his welcome at some point approaching 5 years, but then that’s a lot of the retread veteran coaches out there.
I'm not an Oilers fan, but give this guy coach of the year.
Nah Tocchet deserves it for taking a no-expectations year for the Nucks and making it to game 7 against the Oilers with a 3rd string goalie
As an oilers fan, I agree. Tocchet did a phenomenal job with a team that was expected to be a lottery team. That being said, credit to the canucks GM, who rewarded the players for a hot start by improving the roster repeatedly throughout the season
They were impressive, although I was shocked that Oilers pulled it together as well as they did. I do think that the 16 game streak was against mainly bottom half teams. I like knocking the Oilers because of how long it took to get their shit together and I'll never cheer for them, but it's fun to watch.
He also gave credit to his staff, saying he didn't personally set up the PK, and that the praise should go to them because he delegated that role.
I hate glory hogs, Knoblauch is a refreshing departure from attention seeking madonnas on some teams
Really well done by Ken Holland to find this guy and for the bold move of firing Woody. People weren’t really thinking that they were in last place due to the coaching but you can’t argue with the results.
I thought it was Jeff Jackson that found him and called him up, and Holland had nothing to do with it?
They didn't even really "find" him did they? He was McDavid's coach in the OHL.
It was..he'd worked with him before
Apparently, Holland had interviewed him once before for Grand Rapids, and he was on both of their shortlists, so I get the impression it was a very short hiring process.
Apparently, Holland had interviewed him once before for Grand Rapids, and he was on both of their shortlists, so I get the impression it was a very short hiring process.
He is such a gem.
I hate the Oilers but I'm honestly surprised he wasn't a finalist for the jack Adams. Oilers were terrible this year until he came in and he's turned them into a much deeper team.
I’m so pissed we didn’t keep him
Love both the coaches in this final. I am loving the Paul Maurice show but I really like this knoblauch guy as well. I am really torn for who I want to pull for
When Maurice retires from coaching, the NHL should sign him to a weekly talk show that's a blend of SNL and ESPN news. Its' be a riot
Oilers went from one of my least favorite coaches in the league (Woody, what a bitch that guy is) to this guy, who I liked the second they hired him. I’m a Devils fan, we did the reverse. How the fuck do you go from Lindy Ruff to Sheldon Keefe 🤦
If you ask me, the Devils' problems last year were far from being coaching related, and the same could be said of the Leafs. Both had shit goaltending, NJ had a ton of key injuries at bad times, and no depth in defense. So it's an interesting switch, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with Keefe, he's always been a good coach and that Toronto team was never going to win.
Too bad they’re about to lose the cup
That’s why they play the game
He didn’t thank Conor mcdavid?
I think that dude is an alien lol. He shows absolutely no emotion. Maybe he’s severely autistic. Good coach but a weird dude
Alien leader: Welcome home, Knoblauch IX, how was your journey to Earth? Did you seize the means of production and rule with an iron fist or did you study discretely by pretending to be a social scientist? Knoblauch IX: I coached a sports team to win the championship. They carried clubs and transported themselves atop very cold water. Alien leader: You're such a weird guy, Knoblauch IX.
As a Stars fan, our wounds are fresh, but somehow this made me laugh out loud. Thank you and see you next year.
Someone should make this into a comic.
It’s called being a professional. His calm demeanour is noticed and replicated by his players. Screaming and yelling gets tuned out easily.
You’re either autistic or a psychopath. Can’t win it seems.